Roof protection systems for high wind zones

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to an improved cover for securing the roof a residential home or other building structure from the weather conditions that are associated with severe storms such as hurricanes. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises at least one protective membrane disposed adjacent the roof&#39;s upper surface. In a particular embodiment, the membrane is configured to cover substantially the entire roof surface. The membrane, which may comprise stretch wrap or shrink wrap, may be adhered in place, for example, using water resistant tape, an adhesive, mechanical fasteners, or a girdle sheet that is wrapped around the vertical walls of the building structure so as to capture the protective membrane between the girdle sheet and the vertical walls. Alternatively, the roof cover may be maintained adjacent the roof substantially entirely through its own physical properties, especially if the roof cover is comprised of stretch or shrink wrap.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Building structures are often severely damaged when exposed to high-wind conditions, such as those associated with hurricanes and tornados. For example, high winds often strip shingles from the roofs of residential homes to expose a roof understructure that is vulnerable to rain damage. Accordingly, there is a need for improved apparatuses and methods for protecting the roofs of building structures from storm conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A protective roof cover according to one embodiment of the invention comprises a membrane that is adapted to cover at least a portion of the roof of a building structure, such as a house. In one embodiment of the invention, the membrane is adapted to extend from a first edge of the roof to a second edge of the roof. In one embodiment, the first edge is a front edge of the roof and the second edge is a rear edge of the roof. In another embodiment, the first edge is a first side edge of the roof and the second edge is a second side edge of the roof. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the second edge is substantially parallel to, and offset from, the first edge. In various embodiments of the invention, the roof cover may comprise, for example, shrink wrap material or stretch wrap material.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the membrane is adapted to extend over one or more of the roof's edges and, optionally, to be secured into place adjacent the roof via a girdle member. In one embodiment of the invention, the girdle member wraps substantially around the entire perimeter of the building structure.

In various embodiments of the invention, the membrane comprises a plurality of strips that are optionally positioned so that they are substantially parallel to each other. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the membrane is adapted to extend from a front edge of the roof, over a ridge of the roof, and to a rear edge of the roof.

In one embodiment of the invention, the roof cover is adapted for substantially covering a gable portion of the roof. In this embodiment of the invention, the membrane optionally comprises two or more elongate, substantially parallel lengths of material that are adapted for positioning adjacent the gable portion to at least partially shield the gable portion from wind. In one embodiment of the invention, the parallel lengths of material are positioned so that they are substantially horizontal.

A method of protecting a roof from high winds according to one embodiment of the invention comprises the steps of: (1) providing a roof cover that is adapted to prevent one or more shingles from being detached from the roof during high winds; and (2) covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with the roof cover. In one embodiment of the invention, the roof cover is adapted to urge the one or more shingles toward an understructure of the roof and thereby prevent the shingles from being blown from the roof during high wind conditions.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the roof cover comprises a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first and second ends of the roof cover, and the step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with the roof cover comprises: (A) positioning the first end of the roof cover so that the first end of the roof cover extends over a first edge of the roof and so that the first end of the roof cover is held in place adjacent that first edge; (B) pulling the roof cover so that the intermediate portion of the roof cover is placed into tension; and (C) while the roof cover is in tension, positioning the second end of the roof cover so that the second end of the roof cover extends over a second edge of the roof and so that the second end of the roof cover is held in place adjacent the second edge. In this embodiment of the invention, the roof cover may comprise, for example, shrink wrap or stretch wrap.

In one embodiment of the invention, the step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with the roof cover comprises: (A) positioning the roof cover so that it extends between a first edge of the roof and a second edge of the roof; and (B) applying heat to the roof cover until the roof cover shrinks and thereby attaches adjacent the roof. A heat gun or any other appropriate heat source may be used to apply heat to the roof cover.

In one embodiment of the invention, the step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with the roof cover comprises wrapping the roof cover, in a substantially spiral pattern, around the roof.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the method of protecting a roof from high winds includes the steps of: (1) covering at least a portion of the roof with a first membrane; and (2) covering at least a portion of the roof with a second membrane that at least partially overlaps the first membrane.

In one embodiment of the invention, the step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with the roof cover comprises: (1) covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with a first membrane; and (2) covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with a second membrane that at least partially overlaps the first membrane. The first and/or the second membrane may comprise one or more substantially parallel strips of material. In one embodiment of the invention, the strips of material that make up the first membrane are positioned so that they are substantially perpendicular to the strips of material that make up the second membrane.

In one embodiment of the invention, the step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with the roof cover comprises covering at least a portion of the roof with a third membrane that at least partially overlaps the first and second membranes. In a particular embodiment of the invention: (1) the first membrane comprises a first plurality of substantially parallel strips of material; (2) the second membrane comprises a second plurality of substantially parallel strips of material; (3) the third membrane comprises a third plurality of substantially parallel strips of material; (4) the first plurality of strips is substantially parallel to the third plurality of strips; and (5) the first plurality of strips is substantially perpendicular to the second plurality of strips.

In one embodiment of the invention, the step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of the roof with the roof cover comprises a step of unrolling the roof cover onto the roof from a roll. A user may optionally use a roller (e.g., an extendable roller) to support the roll as the roof cover is unrolled onto the roof from the roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting the installation of a roof cover according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a front edge of a roof, and a roof cover according to one embodiment of the invention that is positioned to overlap the front edge of the roof. In this embodiment, the inherent properties of the roof cover serve to hold the roof cover in place adjacent the roof.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a front edge of a roof, and a roof cover according to another embodiment of the invention that is positioned to overlap the front edge of the roof. In this embodiment, water resistant tape is used to hold the roof cover in place adjacent the roof.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a multi-layered roof cover according to one embodiment of the invention. In this figure, the roof cover comprises two membranes.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a spirally wrapped roof cover according to a particular embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a roof cover installation kit according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting the installation of a roof cover 100 according to one embodiment of the invention adjacent the roof 15 of a building structure 10 (such as a house or other building). The roof cover 100 is configured to protect the roof 15 from weather conditions (such as high winds) produced by a storm, especially a severe storm such as a hurricane. The building structure 10 includes a roof 15, and one or more vertical walls 28 that are adjacent the roof 15. In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more vertical walls 28 support the roof 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, the roof 15 includes: (1) a front roof edge 17; (2) a rear roof edge 19 that is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the front roof edge 17; (3) a first side roof edge 21 that is substantially perpendicular to the front and rear roof edges 17, 19; and (4) a second side roof edge 23 that is spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the first side roof edge 21. The roof 15 further includes a ridge 25. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the ridge 25 extends substantially parallel to, and is positioned between, the front and rear roof edges 17, 19.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the roof 15 also includes a first gable portion 26 adjacent the first side roof edge 21 and a second gable portion (not shown) adjacent the second side roof edge 23. As may be understood from FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, each gable portion is a substantially vertical portion of at least one vertical wall that is immediately adjacent, and at least partially defined by, a peaked portion of the roof 15. The first gable portion 26 and second gable portion (not shown) are preferably adjacent opposite ends of the roof's ridge 25 and are each disposed immediately adjacent the ridge 25.

In one embodiment of the invention, the roof 15 is comprised of a roof subsurface that is covered at least partially by roof surface materials such as shingles, tiles, or wood shake materials. As noted above, these materials are often damaged by inclement weather conditions (such as high winds) that are associated with violent storms. For example, the high winds associated with a hurricane may strip shingles from the roof of a residential home.

In various embodiments of the invention, a protective roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 is provided to protect the roof 15, 211, 261, 311 from such weather conditions. As may be understood from FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, the protective roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 comprises at least one membrane that, when installed adjacent the roof 15, covers at least a portion of the roof 15. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 (which shows the membrane partially installed on the roof 15 of a building structure 10), the membrane is comprised of a plurality of membrane strips 33, 35, that may, for example, be positioned so that they are parallel to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention, the membrane extends from a first edge (e.g., a side or front edge) of the roof 15, 211, 261, 311 to a second edge (e.g., a side or rear edge) of the roof 15, 211, 261, 311. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the membrane extends between first and second side edges 21, 23 of the roof, the first and second side edges being substantially parallel to each other. In this embodiment of the invention, the membrane also preferably extends between the front and rear edges 17, 19 of the roof 15. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the front and rear roof edges 17, 19 are substantially parallel to each other. In addition, in one embodiment, the front and rear roof edges 17, 19 are substantially perpendicular to the first and second side edges 21, 23.

As may be understood from FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 100 is installed on a roof 15 that comprises a first substantially planar roof portion 50 and a second substantially planar roof portion 52, both the first and the second roof portions having an upper roof surface. In one embodiment, the first and second roof portions 50, 52 are connected by a ridge portion 25 disposed between the first and second roof portions 50, 52. In addition, in one embodiment, the first and second roof portions 50, 52 form an angle less than 170 degrees. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 100 is adapted for covering substantially the entire upper roof surface of the first roof portion 50. In one embodiment, the roof cover 100 is also adapted for covering substantially the entire upper roof surface of the second roof portion 52.

FIG. 2A shows how a roof cover 200 according to one embodiment of the invention is attached adjacent the front edge 216 of a roof 211. In this embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 200 comprises a plurality of membrane strips 233, 235. In this embodiment, the membrane strips 233, 235 have inherent physical properties that allow them to cling to other materials without fasteners. In one embodiment of the invention, the membrane strips 233, 235 are comprised of stretch wrap material. As may be understood from FIG. 2A, the membrane strips 233, 235 may be attached adjacent the roof 211 by stretching the membrane strips 233, 235 over an edge (e.g., the front edge 216) of the roof 211 and then pressing the membrane strips 233, 235 against the bottom surface of the roof's front edge 216 and against a vertical wall 218 adjacent the roof 211. The ends of the membrane strips 233, 235 may then be secured in place adjacent the vertical wall 218 with fasteners or, as discussed in greater detail below, with a girdle member, such as the girdle member 330 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 2B also shows how a roof cover 250 according to one embodiment of the invention is attached adjacent the front edge 216 of a roof 261. In this embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 250 comprises a plurality of membrane strips 270, 272. These membrane strips 270, 272 do not have inherent physical properties that allow them to cling substantially to other materials without fasteners. In one embodiment of the invention, the membrane strips 270, 272 are comprised of plastic sheeting. As may be understood from FIG. 2B, the membrane strips 270, 272 may be attached adjacent the roof 261 by stretching the membrane strips 270, 272 over an edge (e.g., the front edge 216) of the roof 261 and then pressing the membrane strips 270, 272 against a vertical wall 218 adjacent the roof 261. The ends of the membrane strips 270, 272 may then be secured in place adjacent the vertical wall 282 with fasteners or strips of tape (such as water resistant tape) 276. The ends of the strips may then be further secured in place via a girdle member 330, such as the girdle member 330 shown in FIG. 3.

As noted above, in one embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 300 is attached to the roof via a girdle member 330 (See FIG. 3). More particularly, in this embodiment, the roof cover 300 is positioned so that the roof cover 300 extends over at least one of the side edges of the roof, and preferably so that it extends over at least two side edges of the roof. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 300 extends over either the front edge of the roof, the rear edge of the roof, or over both the front edge and the rear edge of the roof.

In a particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, after the roof cover 300 is positioned so that it extends over one or more edges of the roof 311, a girdle member 330 (which may be, for example, a length of stretch wrap or shrink wrap or other suitable material), is positioned so that it extends between the first and second side edges 340, 342 of a vertical wall 312 that is adjacent the roof 311, and so that the girdle member 330 traps, between the girdle member 330 and the vertical wall 312, a portion of the roof cover 300 that extends over at least one of the roof's edges. In one embodiment of the invention, the girdle member 330 is placed in tension so that urges a portion of the roof cover 300 into frictional engagement with the vertical wall 312, and thereby restricts the movement of the roof cover 300 relative to the roof 311. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the girdle member 330 exerts an inward force on the roof cover 300 that is sufficient to hold the roof cover 300 in place adjacent the roof 311 in the presence of high winds.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the girdle member 330 is wrapped around substantially the entire perimeter of the building structure 350. Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, when the girdle member 330 is in place adjacent the roof 311, the girdle member 330 is preferably substantially horizontal to at least one edge of the roof 311.

The roof cover may be made of any suitable material. For example, in various embodiments of the invention, the roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 is made of one or more of the following types of material: shrink wrap material, stretch rap material, tarpaulin material, plastic sheeting, nylon, Gortex™, rubber sheeting, or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, the roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 is comprised of one or more substantially flat sheets of material.

Also, in one embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 is comprised of at least one sheet of material that is substantially impermeable to water and/or substantially impermeable to wind. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the roof cover is comprised of material that includes one or more ventilation openings that allow wind and rain to pass through the roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 while the roof cover maintains the roofing materials that make up the roof (e.g., shingles or tiles) in place adjacent the substructure of the roof. This serves to reduce the force exerted on the roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 by high winds passing adjacent the roof cover and, thus, decreases the chances that the roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 will be blown from the roof by high winds.

As may be understood, for example, from FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B, in various embodiments of the invention, the roof cover 100, 200, 250, 300 is comprised of a plurality of elongate membrane strips 33, 35, 233, 235, 270, 272, at least two of which are substantially parallel to each other. In one embodiment of the invention, at least two of the membrane strips 33, 35, 233, 235, 270, 272 at least partially overlap. This helps to prevent wind and/or rain from passing between the strips of material. In one embodiment of the invention, the membrane strips 33, 35, 233, 235, 270, 272 overlap by one to four inches.

As may be understood from FIG. 3, in a particular embodiment of the invention in which the roof cover 300 comprises a plurality of elongate membrane strips 362, 364, 372, 374, one or more membrane strips (e.g., membrane strips 362, 364) are positioned so that they extend between, and are substantially perpendicular to, a first and a second side edge of the roof 311. In another embodiment of the invention, one or more membrane strips (e.g., membrane strips 372, 374) are positioned so that they extend between, and are substantially perpendicular to, a front and a rear edge of the roof 311. In this embodiment of the invention, the membrane strips 372, 374 preferably extend from the front edge of the roof, over the roof's ridge 314, and to the rear edge of the roof 311. As noted above, the various membrane strips may also extend over the front, rear, and/or side edges of the roof 311 to facilitate attaching the strips adjacent the roof 311 (e.g., via a girdle member 330).

As may be understood from FIG. 3, in one embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 300 comprises a plurality of membranes 331, 332 (each comprising a plurality of substantially parallel membrane strips 362, 364, 372, 374) that at least partially overlap each other. This may serve, for example, to increase the strength of the roof cover 300 and to enhance the ability of the roof cover 300 to protect the roof 311 from inclement weather conditions, such as high winds. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the roof cover 300 comprises a first membrane 331 that covers substantially the entire roof, and a second membrane 332 that at least partially overlaps the first membrane 331 and that also covers substantially the entire roof 311. In one embodiment, the roof cover 300 further comprises a third membrane (not shown in FIG. 3) that at least partially overlaps the first and second membranes and that also covers substantially the entire roof.

In various embodiments of the invention, one or more of the first, second, and third membranes may be comprised of a plurality of strips of material as described in detail above. In one embodiment, the first membrane comprises a first plurality of substantially parallel strips of material, the second membrane comprises a second plurality of substantially parallel strips of material, and the third membrane comprises a third plurality of substantially parallel strips of material. In a particular embodiment, the first plurality of strips of material is substantially perpendicular to the second plurality of strips of material. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, the third plurality of strips of material is substantially parallel to the first plurality of strips of material.

Related Installation Equipment

As may be understood from FIGS. 1 and 5, to facilitate the installation of the membrane strips 33, 35 adjacent the roof 15, the various membrane strips 33, 35 may be manufactured in the form of membrane rolls 37, 520 and a roller 40, 540 may be used to unroll the membrane strips 33, 35 directly onto the roof 15. As may be understood from FIG. 5, in one embodiment of the invention, the membrane roll 520 includes a hollow tube 530 that defines a central, preferably elongate, opening. When the roll 520 is manufactured, the membrane 510 is wrapped around the hollow tube 530 so that the membrane 510 forms a multi-layered, substantially spherical encasement around the hollow tube 530. This allows users to smoothly pull flat strips of membrane from the membrane roll 520 as the hollow tube 530 rotates to release the membrane 510 from the membrane roll 520.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the roller 540 includes an elongate roll-support member 550 that is rotatably attached adjacent an elongate shaft 560. In one embodiment of the invention, the roll-support member 550 is positioned substantially perpendicular to the elongate shaft 560.

To place a membrane roll 520 onto the roller 540, a user simply slides the roll-support member 550 into the elongate opening defined by the membrane roll's hollow tube 530. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the roll-support member 550 and the membrane roll 520 are dimensioned so that, when the roll-support member 550 is positioned within the elongate opening, the membrane roll 520 is maintained in place on the roll-support member 550 via frictional forces between the roll-support member 550 and the interior of the membrane roll 520. In one embodiment of the invention, the roll-support member 550 and the membrane roll 520 are substantially the same length (preferably between one and four feet).

Once the membrane roll 520 is positioned onto the roll-support member 550, a user may use the “loaded” roller to apply a strip of membrane to a roof by first pulling an end of the membrane away from roll-support member and then attaching the end of the membrane (e.g., via tape or the membrane's natural properties) adjacent a portion of the roof. The user may then move the roller away from the attached end. As the roller moves away from the attached end, a strip of membrane will roll smoothly off of the roller adjacent the roof surface.

Installation

The installation of a roof cover according to a particular embodiment of the invention will now be described. As will be understood by one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure, the roof cover may be installed in a variety of different ways using differing numbers of installers. The example below, which is described in regard to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, describes an installation that is performed by three installers 5, 6, 7.

Turning again to FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, before installing the roof cover 100, a first installer 5 moves onto a ladder (not shown) adjacent a first edge (e.g., front edge 17) of the roof 15, and a second installer 6 moves onto a ladder adjacent a second edge (e.g., the rear edge 19) of the roof 15. The second edge of the roof is preferably substantially parallel to, and offset from, the first edge of the roof. A third installer 7 then moves onto the top of the roof 15.

Next, the first installer 5 picks up a roller assembly 40 (i.e., a roller that onto which a membrane roll has been loaded), withdraws a short length of membrane 33, 35 from the roller assembly 40, and tapes the end of the membrane 33, 35 to a wall of the building structure 10 about two to four feet below the roof 15. The first installer 5 then hands the roller assembly 40 to the third installer 7 who moves the roller assembly 40 substantially perpendicular to the first roof edge 17 toward the second roof edge 19. As this is done, membrane rolls smoothly off of the roller assembly 40 to form a membrane strip 33, 35 that is substantially perpendicular to the first roof edge 17. In one embodiment of the invention, the third installer 7 rolls the roller assembly 40 along the roof surface while moving the roller assembly 40 perpendicular to the first roof edge 17 toward the second roof edge 19. This provides for a smooth application of a first membrane strip 33 adjacent the roof 15.

After the third installer 7 reaches the second edge 19 of the roof 15, the third installer 7 hands the roller assembly 40 to the second installer 6 who moves the roller assembly 40 downwardly relative to the second edge 19 of the roof 15. The second installer 6 then cuts the first membrane strip 33 so that the first membrane strip 33 extends approximately two to six feet over the second edge 19 of the roof 15, and secures the cut end of the first membrane strip 33 relative to a wall (e.g., a vertical wall) adjacent the second edge of the roof 19. The second installer 6 may secure the cut end of the first membrane strip 33 to the wall by using a fastener such as tape, nails, clips, clamps, or any other appropriate fastening device. Alternatively, the inherent properties of the membrane may be used to secure the first membrane strip 33 to the wall.

After the leading end of the first membrane strip 33 has been secured to the wall, the second installer 6 withdraws a short length of membrane (which serves as the beginning of a second membrane strip 35) from the roller assembly 40, and positions the length of membrane as shown in FIG. 1 so that a lateral side portion of the second membrane strip 35 overlaps a corresponding lateral side portion of the first membrane strip 33. The second installer 6 then tapes the end of the membrane to a wall of the building structure 10 about two to four feet below the roof 15. The second installer 6 then hands the roller assembly 40 to the third installer 7 who moves the roller assembly 40 perpendicular to the second roof edge 19 toward the first roof edge 17. As this is done, the membrane rolls smoothly off of the roller to form a membrane strip 35 that is perpendicular to the second roof edge 19. In one embodiment of the invention, the third installer 7 rolls the roller assembly 40 along the roof surface while moving the roller assembly 40 toward, and perpendicular to, the first roof edge 17. This provides for a smooth application of the membrane adjacent the roof 15.

After the third installer 7 reaches the first edge 17 of the roof 15, the third installer 7 hands the roller assembly 40 to the first installer 5 who moves the roller assembly 40 downwardly relative to the first edge 17 of the roof 15. The first installer 5 then cuts the membrane so that the second membrane strip 35 extends approximately two to six feet over the first edge 17 of the roof 15, and secures the cut end of the second membrane strip 35 relative to a wall (e.g., a vertical wall) adjacent the first edge 17 of the roof 15. The first installer 5 may secure the cut leading end of the second membrane strip 35 to the wall by using a fastener such as tape, nails, clips, clamps, or any other appropriate fastening device. Alternatively, the inherent properties of the membrane may be used to secure the membrane to the wall.

In one embodiment of the invention, the above process is repeated until substantially the entire surface (and preferably the entire surface) of the roof 15 is covered with a first membrane (which, in one embodiment, is comprised of various, substantially parallel, strips of membrane as discussed above).

In one embodiment of the invention (e.g., the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1), the first and second roof edges are, respectively, front and rear edges 17, 19 of the roof 15, and the installers 5, 6, 7 begin the process by installing the first strip of membrane 33 immediately adjacent a first side edge 21 of the roof 15. The installers 5, 6, 7 then install various strips of material (working laterally away from the first side edge 21) until they reach a second side edge 23 of the roof 15. In one embodiment of the invention, the front and rear edges 17, 19 of the roof 15 are substantially parallel to and offset from each other and the first and second side edges 21, 23 are also substantially parallel to and offset from each other and substantially perpendicular to the front and rear edges 17, 19 of the roof 15.

In one embodiment of the invention, after the first membrane has been installed relative to the roof, the installers install a second membrane on top of the first membrane. As shown in FIG. 3, in a particular embodiment of the invention, this second membrane is installed in much the same manner as the first membrane except that the individual membrane strips that make up the second membrane (e.g., membrane strips 362, 364) extend between the first and second side walls of the roof 211. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the plurality of membrane strips that make up the first membrane (e.g., membrane strips 372, 374) are positioned so that they are perpendicular to the plurality of membrane strips that make up the second membrane (e.g., membrane strips 362, 364). In this embodiment of the invention, the second membrane may be understood to overlap the first membrane.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, after the second membrane has been installed relative to the roof, the installers install a third membrane on top of the second membrane. In one embodiment of the invention, this third membrane is installed in much the same manner as the first membrane. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the plurality of membrane strips that make up the third membrane are positioned so that they are parallel to the membrane strips that make up the first membrane. In this embodiment of the invention, the third membrane may be understood to overlap both the second and the first membrane.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second membrane entirely overlaps the entire first membrane. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the second membrane may overlap only a portion of the first membrane.

Similarly, in one embodiment of the invention, the third membrane entirely overlaps the entire second membrane. However, in other embodiments of the invention, the third membrane may overlap only a portion of the second membrane.

In addition, although the first and second membranes are described above as being positioned so that the membrane strips that make up the second membrane are substantially perpendicular to the membrane strips that make up the first membrane, the first and second membranes may alternatively be positioned so that the membrane strips that make up the second membrane are positioned so that they form one or more of the following ranges of angles with the membrane strips that make up the first membrane: (1) less than 80 degrees; (2) less than 60 degrees; (3) less than 45 degrees; (4) less than 30 degrees; (5) less than 15 degrees; or (3) less than 2 degrees.

Similarly, although the second and third membranes are described above as being positioned so that the membrane strips that make up the third membrane are substantially perpendicular to the membrane strips that make up the second membrane, the second and third membranes may alternatively be positioned so that the membrane strips that make up the third membrane are positioned so that they form one or more of the following ranges of angles with the membrane strips that make up the second membrane: (1) less than 80 degrees; (2) less than 60 degrees; (3) less than 45 degrees; (4) less than 30 degrees; (5) less than 15 degrees; or (3) less than 2 degrees.

In addition, although the roof cover is described above as comprising one to three membranes, it may include more membranes. For example, in various embodiments of the invention, the roof cover comprises four, five, six, seven, eight or more overlapping membranes.

In one embodiment of the invention, once all of the various membranes that make up the roof cover are positioned adjacent the roof surface, the membranes are secured adjacent the roof in the manner described above via a girdle member. Alternatively, each individual membrane is secured in place via a girdle member substantially immediately after that individual membrane is positioned adjacent the roof. Alternatively, a group of two or more membranes may be secured in place via a girdle member at one time substantially immediately after that group of membranes is positioned adjacent the roof.

As noted above, in one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the membrane strips that comprise one or more of the membranes comprises a stretch wrap material (e.g., high-strength cellophane) that is adapted to be stretched between two or more ridges and to cling to those ridges due to the inherent frictional properties of the stretch wrap material and the tension within the stretched portion of the stretch wrap material. In one embodiment of the invention, the stretch wrap material is stretched between two or more edges of the roof and held in place relative to the roof by the inherent clinging properties of the stretch wrap material.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the individual strips of stretch wrap material extend from a first edge of the roof to a second edge of the roof, but do not extend substantially over the first or the second edge of the roof. In other embodiments of the invention, the individual strips of stretch wrap material extend over the first and/or second edges of the roof as discussed above, and may optionally be held in place relative to the building structure via a girdle member.

In light of the above, a method according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: (A) positioning a first end of at least a portion of a roof cover so that this first end extends over a first edge of a roof and so that the first end is held in place adjacent the first edge; (B) pulling the roof cover so that an intermediate portion of the roof cover is placed into tension; and (C) positioning the second end of the roof cover so that the second end of the roof cover extends over a second edge of the roof and so that the second end of the roof cover is held in place adjacent the second edge. In one embodiment of the invention, the step of positioning the second end is executed while the intermediate portion of the roof cover is in tension.

As noted above, in one embodiment of the invention, the roof cover comprises shrink wrap material that is configured to shrink in response to being exposed to heat. A method of applying such a roof cover according to one embodiment of the invention comprises: (A) positioning a first end of at least a portion of a roof cover so that the first end extends adjacent (and preferably over) a first edge of a roof and so that the first end is held in place adjacent the first edge; (B) positioning the second end of the roof cover so that the second end of the roof cover extends adjacent (and preferably over) a second edge of the roof and so that the second end of the roof cover is held in place adjacent the second edge; and (C) using a heat source to apply heat to the roof cover until the roof cover shrinks and thereby is secured adjacent the roof. In one embodiment of the invention, a heat gun is used to apply heat to the roof.

In regard to various embodiments of the invention in which individual membranes comprise a plurality of membrane strips (e.g., substantially parallel membrane strips), it should be understood that the strips may be secured in place relative to each other by taping the membrane strips to each other and/or to the surface of the roof. Alternatively, the membrane strips may be attached to each other or the surface of the roof via fasteners such as tacks, screws, or nails. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, the membrane strips may comprise a tacky material (such as cling wrap) and, as a result, may stick to other membrane strips without fasteners.

Furthermore, although various embodiments of the invention in which individual membranes comprise a plurality of membrane strips are described above as having overlapping membrane strips (e.g., the side edges of two or more of the membrane strips that form a particular membrane overlap), in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the side edges of the strips do not overlap substantially. In one such embodiment of the invention, the strips are laid side by side and are attached together by lengths of tape.

It should also be understood that, in one or more embodiments of the invention, one or more membranes extend adjacent the roof's gable portion to at least partially shield the gable portion from wind (see, for example, FIG. 3). In one embodiment of the invention, one or more of the membranes substantially cover the gable portion. Also, in a particular embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of a membrane covering the gable portion comprises a plurality of substantially parallel membrane strips that are positioned, for example, so that they are substantially vertical (as shown in FIG. 3) or substantially horizontal.

As shown in FIG. 4, in one embodiment of the invention, a membrane 420 is spirally wrapped about the roof structure 411. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the membrane 420 is wrapped spirally about the roof structure 411 until substantially the entire roof surface 411 is covered with the membrane 420 and preferably substantially sealed against wind and/or rain. In one embodiment of the invention, the membrane 420 comprises an elongate strip of membrane 420 that is wrapped spirally around the roof structure 411 to form a plurality of at least partially overlapping, substantially circular, courses 420 that encircle the roof structure 411. In one embodiment of the invention, these courses 420 extend between at least one edge of the roof (e.g., a front edge 417) and the roof's ridge 414. The winding of the flexible membrane 420 may proceed in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction. Furthermore, spiral winding may extend from one or more edges of the roof (e.g., front edge 417) to the roof's ridge 414, or from the ridge of the roof 414 to one or more of the roof's edges (e.g., front edge 417).

Advantageously, the above-described preferred embodiments of the present invention may be sold to retail consumers as part of an improved protective roof wrap kit. A preferred kit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 and includes at least one roof membrane supply roll 520, at least one roll of water-resistant tape 580, a roller 540 (e.g., an extendable roller), and optionally a knife or cutting blade 590.

Use of the Invention

One intended use of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide temporary protection for a roof structure during a predicted storm, such as a hurricane. For example, a user may store a roof protection kit, such as the kit described above, in their home until they receive a storm warning (such as a hurricane alert or warning that is broadcast over conventional media sources). In response to receiving the storm warning, the user then uses the kit to temporarily install a roof cover according to one or more of the embodiments of the invention described above. This serves to provide temporary protection for the roof during the predicted storm. After the storm passes, the user may remove the roof cover and, if desired, discard the roof cover. In this sense, one embodiment of the invention is a temporary, single-use roof cover.

Roof covers according to other embodiments of the invention may be used for other purposes, such as for securing roofs during roof repair, or for securing roofs on an extended basis through an entire storm season.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A protective cover for a roof, said protective cover comprising: a membrane that is adapted to cover at least a portion of said roof, said membrane being adapted to extend from a first edge of said roof to a second edge of said roof.
 2. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein said second edge is substantially parallel to, and offset from, said first edge.
 3. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein said membrane is substantially impermeable to water.
 4. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein said membrane comprises a length of shrink wrap material.
 5. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein said membrane comprises a length of stretch wrap material.
 6. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein said membrane is adapted to extend over said first edge of said roof.
 7. The protective roof cover of claim 6, wherein said membrane is adapted to extend over said second edge of said roof.
 8. The protective roof cover of claim 7, wherein said membrane is adapted to extend over a third edge of said roof, said third edge being substantially perpendicular to said first edge of said roof.
 9. The protective roof cover of claim 8, wherein said first and second edges are side edges of said roof and said third edge of said roof is a front edge of said roof.
 10. The protective roof cover of claim 8, wherein said membrane is adapted to extend over a ridge of said roof.
 11. The protective roof cover of claim 6, wherein said membrane is adapted to extend over a ridge of said roof.
 12. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein said membrane is adapted to extend over a ridge of said roof.
 13. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein said membrane is adapted to extend from a front edge of said roof, over a ridge of said roof, and to a rear edge of said roof.
 14. The protective roof cover of claim 13, wherein said membrane comprises at least one elongate strip of material that is adapted to extend substantially perpendicular to said ridge.
 15. The protective roof cover of claim 12, wherein: said ridge is substantially perpendicular to said first and second edges; and said ridge extends from said first edge to said second edge.
 16. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein: said roof comprises a first substantially planar roof portion and a second substantially planar roof portion, both said first and said second roof portions having an upper roof surface; said first and second roof portions are connected by a ridge portion disposed between said first and second roof portions; and said first and second roof portions form an angle less than 170 degrees.
 17. The protective roof cover of claim 16, wherein said membrane is adapted for covering substantially the entire upper roof surface of said first roof portion.
 18. The protective roof cover of claim 17, wherein said membrane is adapted for covering substantially the entire upper roof surface of said second roof portion.
 19. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein said membrane is adapted for substantially covering a gable portion of said roof.
 20. The protective roof cover of claim 19, wherein said membrane comprises two or more substantially parallel lengths of material that are adapted to be positioned adjacent said gable portion to at least partially shield said gable portion from wind.
 21. The protective roof cover of claim 1, wherein: said roof is adjacent at least one substantially vertical wall that is adjacent said first edge; said membrane is adapted to extend over said first edge of said roof adjacent said wall; and said protective roof cover comprises a girdle portion that is adapted to extend adjacent said wall and to hold a portion of said membrane in place relative to said wall.
 22. The protective roof cover of claim 21, wherein said girdle portion is adapted to hold said portion of said membrane in place relative to said wall at least in part by urging said portion of said membrane into frictional contact with said wall.
 23. The protective roof cover of claim 22, wherein said girdle portion is adapted to extend from a first substantially vertical side edge of said wall to a second substantially vertical side edge of said wall.
 24. The protective roof cover of claim 22, wherein said girdle portion comprises an elongate strip of material.
 25. A method of protecting a roof from high winds, said roof comprising one or more shingles, and said method comprising the steps of: providing a roof cover that is adapted to prevent said one or more shingles from being detached from said roof during high winds; and covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein said roof cover is adapted to urge said one or more shingles toward an understructure of said roof and thereby prevent said shingles from being blown from said roof during high wind conditions.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein said roof cover is adapted to form a barrier that substantially separates said one or more shingles from wind passing adjacent said roof.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein said roof cover is substantially impermeable to air.
 29. The method of claim 25, wherein said roof cover is substantially impermeable to water.
 30. The method of claim 25, wherein said roof cover is stretch wrap.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein: said roof cover comprises a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion disposed between said first and second ends of said roof cover; and said step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover comprises: (A) positioning said first end of said roof cover so that said first end of said roof cover extends over a first edge of said roof and so that said first end of said roof cover is held in place adjacent said first edge; (B) pulling said roof cover so that said intermediate portion of said roof cover is placed into tension; and (C) positioning said second end of said roof cover so that said second end of said roof cover extends over a second edge of said roof and so that said second end of said roof cover is held in place adjacent said second edge.
 32. The method of claim 31, wherein said step of positioning said second end is executed while said intermediate portion of said roof cover is in tension.
 33. The method of claim 25, wherein said roof cover comprises shrink wrap.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein said step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover comprises: (A) positioning said roof cover so that it extends between a first edge of said roof and a second edge of said roof; and (B) applying heat to said roof cover until said roof cover shrinks and thereby attaches adjacent said roof.
 35. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover comprises wrapping said roof cover, in a substantially spiral pattern, around said roof.
 36. The method of claim 25, wherein said roof cover comprises tarpaulin material.
 37. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover comprises: covering at least a portion of said roof with a first membrane; and covering at least a portion of said roof with a second membrane that at least partially overlaps said first membrane.
 38. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover comprises: covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with a first membrane; and covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with at least a portion with a second membrane that at least partially overlaps said first membrane.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein said first membrane comprises a first plurality of substantially parallel strips of material.
 40. The method of claim 39, wherein at least two of said substantially parallel strips of material at least partially overlap.
 41. The method of claim 39, wherein: said second membrane comprises a second plurality of substantially parallel strips of material; and said step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover comprises the step of positioning said first and second membranes so that said first plurality of strips of material are substantially perpendicular to said second plurality of strips of material.
 42. The method of claim 37, wherein said step of covering substantially the entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover comprises: covering at least a portion of said roof with a third membrane that at least partially overlaps said first and second membranes.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein both said second and said third membranes cover substantially the entire upper surface of said roof.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein: said first membrane comprises a first plurality of substantially parallel strips of material; said second membrane comprises a second plurality of substantially parallel strips of material; said third membrane comprises a third plurality of substantially parallel strips of material; said first plurality of strips is substantially parallel to said third plurality of strips; and said first plurality of strips is substantially perpendicular to said second plurality of strips.
 45. The method of claim 25, wherein said roof cover is adapted to seal said roof from rain.
 46. The method of claim 25, wherein said step of covering substantially said entire upper surface of said roof with said roof cover comprises a step of unrolling said roof cover onto said roof from a roll.
 47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of using a roller to support said roll as said roof cover is unrolled onto said roof from said roll.
 48. The method of claim 25, wherein: said roof is adjacent a substantially vertical wall, and further comprising the step of positioning said roof cover so that at least a portion of said roof cover extends over an edge of said roof adjacent said substantially vertical wall, and said method further comprises the step of securing said roof cover into place adjacent said roof by attaching a girdle member adjacent said wall to hold a portion of said roof cover in place relative to said wall.
 49. The method of claim 48, wherein said girdle member extends between a first substantially vertical edge of said wall and a second substantially vertical edge of said wall.
 50. The method of claim 48, wherein said step of securing said roof cover into place adjacent said roof comprises trapping said portion of said roof cover between said girdle member and said wall.
 51. The method of claim 48, wherein said step of securing said roof cover into place adjacent said roof comprises wrapping said girdle portion around an exterior portion of a building structure supporting said roof so that said girdle portion urges said portion of said membrane into frictional contact with said wall.
 52. The method of claim 48, wherein said girdle portion comprises an elongate strip of material.
 53. A covered roof structure comprising: a roof having an upper surface, a first edge, and a second edge that is substantially parallel to, and offset from, said first edge; and a membrane that covers at least a portion of said upper surface, said membrane extending from said first edge to said second edge.
 54. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein said membrane is substantially impermeable to water.
 55. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein said membrane comprises a length of shrink wrap material.
 56. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein said membrane comprises a length of stretch wrap material.
 57. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein said membrane extends over said first edge of said roof.
 58. The covered roof structure of claim 57, wherein said membrane extends over said second edge of said roof.
 59. The covered roof structure of claim 58, wherein said membrane extends over a third edge of said roof, said third edge being substantially perpendicular to said first edge of said roof.
 60. The covered roof structure of claim 59, wherein said first and second edges are side edges of said roof and said third edge of said roof is a front edge of said roof.
 61. The covered roof structure of claim 59, wherein said membrane extends over a ridge of said roof.
 62. The covered roof structure of claim 57, wherein said membrane extends over a ridge of said roof.
 63. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein said membrane extends over a ridge of said roof.
 64. The covered roof structure of claim 63, wherein: said ridge is substantially perpendicular to said first and second edges; and said ridge extends from said first edge to said second edge.
 65. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein said membrane extends from a front edge of said roof, over a ridge of said roof, and to a rear edge of said roof.
 66. The covered roof structure of claim 65, wherein said membrane comprises at least one elongate strip of material that extends substantially perpendicular to said ridge.
 67. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein: said roof comprises a first substantially planar roof portion and a second substantially planar roof portion, both said first and said second roof portions having an upper roof surface; said first and second roof portions are connected by a ridge portion disposed between said first and second roof portions; and said first and second roof portions form an angle of less than 170 degrees.
 68. The covered roof structure of claim 67, wherein said membrane substantially covers the entire upper roof surface of said first roof portion.
 69. The covered roof structure of claim 68, wherein said membrane covers substantially the entire upper roof surface of said second roof portion.
 70. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein said membrane substantially covers a gable portion of said roof.
 71. The covered roof structure of claim 70, wherein said membrane comprises two or more substantially parallel lengths of material that are positioned adjacent said gable portion to at least partially shield said gable portion from wind.
 72. The covered roof structure of claim 53, wherein: said roof is adjacent at least one substantially vertical wall that is adjacent said first edge; said membrane extends over said first edge of said roof adjacent said wall; and said protective roof cover comprises a girdle portion that extends adjacent said wall to hold a portion of said membrane in place relative to said wall.
 73. The covered roof structure of claim 72, wherein said girdle portion holds said portion of said membrane in place relative to said wall at least in part by urging said portion of said membrane into frictional contact with said wall.
 74. The covered roof structure of claim 73, wherein said girdle portion extends from a first substantially vertical side edge of said wall to a second substantially vertical side edge of said wall.
 75. The covered roof structure of claim 73, wherein said girdle portion comprises an elongate strip of material. 